Tiny Tots!

This is not what I had good intentions of writing about today. I had plans of showcasing an art project and its progress but then something so adorable plopped into my day that it deserved a post of its own. It was mid-afternoon and I was out watering the rose garden. My violets were flat on the ground from the heat and definitely needed attention. Ezzy, the squirrel chaser, was doing her usual bird protecting when I heard a bark. Not a ferocious bark, just a bark. Now what??? I put down the hose (still pouring water) and walked out of the fenced garden to see what mighty dog was trying to tell me. Oh no, she was by the pier! Maybe a snake? A snapping turtle? Hopefully not the alligator!! I grabbed the shovel and headed toward her. By her motions, I could tell she was not really upset, just more happy. She would race to me and then back to the pier. She seemed so elated that I was following her. What did she see??? Then I saw it..or should I say them. She had "treed" three tiny, tiny baby raccoons. Not in a tree but rather on the pier post. When we built the pier, we left the first several posts extend up about three feet above the planking with the idea of putting on a handrail. Ezzy had treed the three baby raccoons on top of the first eight inch in diameter post. She was so proud of herself! At any given moment, she could have easily grabbed them but she was more intent on showing me what she had accomplished. Needless to say, the babies were terrified of this huge monster that was standing with her feet against the post, looking at eye-level with them. I must say they were the cutest things that I have seen in quite some time and it made me appreciate that I carry my camera with me. After snapping endless pictures, Miss Ezzy and I wandered back to the house to continue our duties..she went back to guarding the baby Bluebirds and I went back to flooded violets! Living on a bayou gives such wonderful photo opportunities!